Beer Review 2012

Page 1

Wheat

Wheat beer is one of the oldest styles still brewed today. Ingredients in wheat beers vary widely, but most of the beer’s mash must contain wheat. Wheat beer tends to be hazy, a little spicy with little or no yeast taste and very little aftertaste. Serve cold.

3.7

Flying

4.1

Amsterdam (416) Urban Wheat Karel Reina: Smells like spring! Tastes so fresh! It's like a season in my mouth. David Stokes: Punching but smooth. This beer tastes just like Fruit Loops in a good way. Amsterdam Brewing Co. ❋ Toronto, ON 4.16%

4

Rickard’s Original White Ale Andrew Walt: Smooth, clean, crisp. Not a thing wrong with it, though it may be a bit inoffensive in its banality. Geoff Vendeville: Light, goes down easy. Not too fizzy, smooth finish. Winey aftertaste. Molson Coors Canada ❋ Toronto, ON 5%

Robson Street Hefeweizen Cara Sabatini: Delightful smell, rich colour. The subtle tastes of melon, bubblegum and Wheaties cereal are like childhood in a pint glass. Helene Goderis: Simply delectable. Simply easy on the tongue. Straddles heavy and light, so beautifully balanced. Molson Coors Canada ❋ Toronto, ON 5%

Okanagan Spring Pale Ale

4.1

Maclays Traditional PaleA

Supercollider Double I.P.A. Bodi Bold: Thick and dark - makes me so hoppy! Aberdeen Berry: Despite its undertones of overripe fruit, this beer is actually delicious, and for something so heavy, surprisingly refreshing. Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery ❋ Barrie, ON 12.4%

Monkeys

Craft

Brewery ❋

Barrie, ON 6%

I.P.A.

3.6

W

e endured a series of intense blind tastings for your enjoyment. Judges were either affiliated with the making of the boozepaper or kidnapped from the streets of Toronto and forced to drink numerous types of beer so you wouldn’t have to (but we recommend you do). Thanks to all the participating brewers. Enjoy.

India Pale Ale was developed in England in the 1790s by increasing ales’ alcohol and hop content in order to solve the problem of beer going flat or sour during long ocean voyages. Malts are used to balance the hops, sometimes creating a mildly sweet flavour. ABV 5-7.6%. Serve cellar (12-14 degrees Celsius).

Nickel Brook Headstock I.P.A. Olenka Szy: Smells like canoe wood, tastes like a good time at the cabin. David Stokes: Wowza! For cool kids and surly uncles. Lots of flavour, notes of maple and mint. Better Bitters Brewing Co. ❋ Burlington, ON 7.5%

3.4

PORTER AND STOUT

3.7

3.3

Beau’s Beaver River I.P.Eh? Alexander Keith’s I.P.A. Bodi Bold: Creamy with notes of caramel, but a little rough around the edges. Helene Goderis: Instantly bubbly on the Andrew Walt: Complex with an alluring aroma. Spicy and uncomfortably bitter. tongue. All bite, no bark. Dan ChristensBeau’s All Natural Brewing Co. ❋ Vankleek Hill, ON 5.6% en: Easy to drink while still maintaining its flavour. Light and doesn't linger. Smashbomb Atomic I.P.A. Labatt Brewing Co. ❋ Bodi Bold: Bitter with a nice caramel colour. A refreshing aftertaste despite London, being on the heavier side. ON 5% Marin Susac: Hoppy with earthy tones and a long, bitter finish.

3.6

2.5

Porters and stouts have an intertwined history dating back to 18th century Britain and Alan Jones: It feels cold in my Ireland where they were identified as dark Paul Richardson: Call hand, but fails to melt in my mouth. beers brewed from brown malt. In those Willy Wonka - someone times, the distinction between stout and Dan: Flashy off the top but utterly unburned his caramel. porter was simply a question of strength. memorable after that. Best Daryn Caister: Starts off The stronger porters, swallowed immediatly. malty, with hints of both in respect to colSleeman Brewery Ltd. ❋ Guelph, ON 5% wasabi. Lean, quick finLug Tread ouring and to alcohol ish with a nutty afterLagered Ale content, were identitaste. Samantha Chiufied as stouts owing to Sleeman Brewery solo: This is the their heaviness. A stout Ltd. ❋ Guelph, half-beer you find is now chiefly considON ered to be a dark, bitter, at the end of a Pale Ale was first used 5% and distinctly Irish brew, party when you as a term in the early 18th century. It typically with a creamy, need to stay drunk. impenetrable head. Cara Sabatini: Earthy; has a pale-golden to amber colour, is

3.8

Hockley Black and Tan Bodi Bold: I could drink this for all meals of the day. Dan Christensen: No aftertaste, which is a good thing: it is a burst of unique flavour that needs to be experienced immediately. Hockley Valley Brewing Co. ❋ Orangeville, ON 4.7%

mulchy. Like a satisfying day in the woods. Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co. ❋ Vankleek Hill, ON 5.2%

3.4

A

L

E

Lager

usually clear, and often has a bready, toasty, biscuity flavour. ABV 4.5-6%. Serve cool (8-12 d Granville Island English Bay Pale Ale grees celsius).

Lager originated in Central Europe in the early 15th century. After initial fermentation, the beer is stored at low temperatures (a process known as “lagering”) to allow for the production of bottom-fermenting yeast. This yeast is more aggressive than ale yeast, and produces a clean, crisp beer with a smooth finish. Lagers are typically served cold.

3.5

P

Bodi Bold: Melting-on-mytongue deliciousness. Daryn Caister: Cloudy amber, malty orange, silky, mildly sweet, rich aftertaste. Molson Coors Canada ❋ Toronto, ON 5%

Brown

Ale

3.6

Wellington County S.P.A.

Nickel Brook Maple Porter Dan Christensen: Chocolate in there somewhere. Frothy. Best in large gulps. Alan Jones: Just like molasses. Better Bitters Brewing Co. ❋ Burlington, ON 5.5%

3.3

E

3.2

Hockley Stout Andrew Walt: Flavourful without being domineering. Smooth and clear, but lingers a bit with creamy tastes. Brilliant beer. Jon Dundas: The bacon of beers. Hockley Valley Brewing Co. ❋ Orangeville, ON 4.2%

A

L

Jeremy Edgell: Nice caramel colour, bitter at first sip but mild at second with a smooth aftertaste. Paul Richardson: Great caramel aroma, lightly hopped, with butterscotch on palate. Lingers with a fine mousse. A real killer. Wellington County Brewery ❋ Guelph, ON 4.5%

3.5

Mill Street Tanhouse Ale Bodi Bold: A forest of flavours in my mouth. Aberdeen Berry: Pleasantly light tasting for a darker beer; aftertaste is nutty and lingers in the mouth perhaps a bit too long, but it is sufficiently rich to compensate. This is a beer that makes you feel drunk. Mill Street Brewery ❋ Black Oak Toronto, ON 5.2% Pale Ale

3.4

Molson Export

2.5

Nick Ragetli: Clean, crisp with a slightly fruity aftertaste. Helene Goderis: Firecracker in the mouth. Black Oak Brewing Co. ❋ Etobicoke, ON 5%

Nick Ragetli: Mild golden hue with a mild taste. Very clean. Aberdeen Berry: Sanitized - the beer of the future. The beer you should be drinking from a solo cup. Molson Coors Canada ❋ Toronto, ON 5%

Originating in late 17th century London, brown ale has taken on a significantly different connotation than its original meaning. While 18thcentury brown ales were brewed from 100% brown malt and lightly hopped, today’s brown ales are of medium strength and are usually low alcohol. They range from brown to deep amber in colouration, and are most often sweet and/or nutty. Chocolate and caramel flavours are also noticeable. Best served mildly chilled for optimum haziness.

Amber Pale Ale was developed on the American west coast. Ambers are made with a hop-malt balance that usually leans toward the malts, creating a sweet, sometimes caramel flavour. Crystal malt gives it its darker copper or amber colour. ABV 4.5-6%. Serve cool (8-12 degrees celsius).

3.9

Big Wheel Helene Goderis: Fizzy to the max - beer made for an emperor. A divine libation. Cara Sabatini: Sweet nectar reserved for the Olympians. Especially the drunk Olympians. Very conducive to cup stacking. Amsterdam Brewing Co. ❋ Toronto, ON 5%

3.6

Creemore Springs Premium Lager Andrew Walt: I bet Stephen Fry would drink this. Helene Goderis: Delightful. Aftertaste like a game of spin the bottle at the cottage. Creemore Springs Brewery ❋ Creemore, ON 5%

3.4

Coors Light Iced T Aberdeen Berry: Extremely flavourful for a beer this light. Terrifically unique. It makes me feel like a British imperialist in 19th century India. David Stokes: Tea! And Beer! They condense eternity. Molson Coors Canada ❋ Toronto, ON 4%

Although Pilsner is relatively young – it was developed in Pilsnen in the present day Czech Republic in the mid-1800s – it is one of the most popular styles of beer today. Made with hard or neutral water and partially malted barley, Pilsner usually has a hoppy aroma, a dense white head, a light taste and refreshing finish. Serve cold.

3.4

Molson Dry Anna Phillips: Fruity mix of orange crush and chocolate icing. Bodi Bold: Pleasant despite the transparent colour. Molson Coors Canada ❋ Toronto, ON 5.5%

3.3

Stella Artois Samantha Chiusolo: I would enjoy getting drunk off this. All it needs are some chicken wings. Yukon Damov: Discrete and inoffensive, like a fine European gentleman. Suited for a nonbeer-drinker. Labatt Brewing Co. ❋ London, ON 5%

Wellington County Dark Ale

4

Andre Russu: Thick, bitter taste. Offers a hint of sweetness, and lacks a distinct aftertaste. Aberdeen Berry: Yeasty undertones. Soft around the edges, with lacy foam. Wellington County Brewery ❋ Guelph, ON 5%

3

Steam Whistle Pils ner Marin Susac: Mediu m bodied, delicious an d crisp. A beer made for long lasting enjoym ent. Cara Sabatini: Yeas t Hockley Dark Traditional English Ale dances on the tong ue in a wonderfully ch oNick Ragetli: Bitter at first, but slowly reographed ballet. softens. Aberdeen Berry: The closest beer Mmm... culture. has ever come to being a hazelnut latte. Steam Whistle The aftertaste is both rich and tingly. Brewing ❋ Hockley Valley Brewing Co. ❋ Toronto, ON Orangeville, ON 5% 5% Creemore Netherworld Cascadian Dark Ale Springs Aberdeen Berry: Nutty and smooth, this beer Traditional says two things: plaid and no regrets. David Pilsner Stokes: Rich and deep like caviar and poetry. Caleigh: Kind of a rustic feel. complex Wellington County Brewery ❋ Guelph, ON mature, A Dan Christensen: 6% flavour that turns bitter in the aftertaste. For those who love beer. Creemore Springs Brewery ❋ Creemore, ON 5% Black Oak Nut Brown Nickel Brook Green Apple Pilsner Aberdeen Berry: A pleasantly floral flavour with Nick Ragetli: Distinct apple flavour. an almost ashy aftertaste. The memonto mori Very refreshing. Aberdeen Berry: of beers. Extremely pleasant for the first few Yukon Damov: Like a mahogany chair with sips, before you can begin to taste sharply whittled legs. Good craftsmanship with the inevitable hangover. a kick. Better Bitters Brewing Co. Black Oak Brewing Co. ❋ Etobicoke, ON 5% Burlington, ON 4%

3.6

3.9

3.8

3.1

3.5

Molson M Anna Phillips: Fresh and lemony like summertime laundry. Vanessa Purdy: Best supporting actor in a comedy - light but substantial. Molson Coors Canada ❋ Toronto, ON 4.9%

3.5

3.8

Millenium Buzz Beer David Stokes: A mellow, sweetly beckoning beer. Aberdeen Berry: As Margaret Atwood once wrote, "tingly, heady, rough-andready . . . tang of the wilderness." Sparkling, but lacks complexity. Cool Beer Brewing Co. ❋ Toronto, ON 5%

3.6

Nickel Brook Premium Organic Lager Jocelyn Robertson: Light, bubbly beer makes for a perfect dark substitute for champagne! Marin: Very refreshing, crisp summer beer with short bitter finish. Better Bitters Brewing Co. ❋ Burlington, ON 5%

Cool Lager Cara Sabatini: Crisper than freshly starched linen, but much more thirst quenching. Just as clean of a finish. David Stokes: Light, quite sweet, smells like teen spirit. Cool Beer Brewing Co. ❋ Toronto, ON 5%

Pilsner AMBER

3.6

Creemore Springs UrBock Aberdeen Berry: A bit creamy, a bit nutty. It fills the mouth in a pleasant manner. Helene Goderis: Fine bubbles in this soft red beer - a beer with history. Creemore Springs Brewery ❋ Creemore, ON 6%

3.3

3.5

Budweiser Samantha Chiusolo: Tastes like money, but not rich. More like coins in my mouth from a drinking game. Dan Christensen: Clear, but awfully flavourless. Not a bad beer for beginners. Also great if you want to lie to yourself and pretend you're not drinking! Labatt Brewing Co. ❋ London, ON 5%

3.2

Upper Canada Lager Helene Goderis: A beer slated for the beer pong table. Vanessa Purdy: The Marilyn of beers: not particularly talented, but also not without its charm. Sleeman Brewery Ltd. ❋ Guelph, ON 5%

2.8

Molson Canadian Alan Jones: Nice fruity touch to it, but doesn't leave an impression. Andrew Walt: Its finish is far too thin, almost as if it's ashamed to be a beer. Not a bad thing if you're a 14 year-old girl. Molson Coors Canada ❋ Toronto, ON 5%

2.7

Bud Light Samantha Chiusolo: Very light. A perfect beer to play pong with. Bodi Bold: If I had to buy alcohol for a minor, this would be the beer. Molson Coors Canada ❋ Toronto, ON 4%

2.5

Stonewall Light Cara Sabatini: A light wheaty start. Breakfast of champions? Helene Goderis: Probably tastes amazing trailed behind a canoe, then sun-warmed a little. Cool Beer Brewing Co. ❋ Toronto, ON 4%

2.5

Amsterdam Natural Blonde Karel Reina: Smells like a spice in my grandmother's garden. Geoff Vendeville: A thin, very light beer. Great for drinking on a hot summer day. Amsterdam Brewing Co. ❋ Toronto, ON 5%


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